A student measured temperature five times but recorded only the middle value. What would be a better scientific record?

Correct answer: Record all five raw values and an appropriate summary

Direct answer: Option A, recording all five raw values together with an appropriate summary, is the better scientific record. Raw data are the observations exactly as measured, before selecting or changing anything. The student should write each temperature, its unit, the time or condition, and then calculate a suitable summary such as the mean or median when appropriate. Keeping every value shows spread, unusual readings, and possible measurement problems, so another person can inspect the evidence. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because choosing a convenient value creates selection bias. Option C is wrong because estimation that makes values equal falsifies the observations and hides natural variation. Option D is wrong because a number without a unit is incomplete; 25 could mean degrees Celsius, Fahrenheit, or something else. Memory cue: save the original data before summarising.